The Tale of Melon City, Explanation, Line by Line, Meaning of Difficult Words, English CBSE Class 11 NCERT Snapshot Chapter 8

 The Tale of Melon City, Explanation, Line by Line, Meaning of Difficult Words, English CBSE Class 11 NCERT Snapshot Chapter 8

THE TALE OF MELON CITY

(Explanation and Meaning of difficult words)

Author – Vikram Seth

 

Word	Meaning
Just	One who does and likes justice
Placid	Calm
Proclaimed	Ordered
Triumphally	A sign of victory, Majestically
Major thoroughfare	Main road
Edify	Improve, Make pleasant,
Spectator	Onlookers, Visitors

Poetic Devices
In the city of which I sing	Alliteration
Would span the major thoroughfare	Alliteration

I am narrating this poem about a city whose King favoured justice and he remained calm. The King ordered that a big gate or arch be constructed in the city. This will be symbol of his victory. This arch was to be constructed on the main road of the city. The King thought that it will improve beauty of the city for all residents and visitors.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Workmen	Workers, Labours
Rode down	Walked through
Built too low	Its height was very less

Poetic Devices
The workmen went and built the thing.	Alliteration
The workmen went and built the thing.	Repetition
They did so since he was the King.	Alliteration

The workers obeyed orders of the King. They went to the site and constructed the arch. After it was completed the King went there to inaugurate it. The King walked on the main road and through the arch. Many residents of the city had gathered there to see their King. They were happy to see their King. The crown of the King touched bottom of the arch because its height was less. The crown fell down from the head of the King.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Frown	Expression of anger
Disgrace	Insult
Gallows	Structure for hanging a person
Led out	Brought
Passed the King	Came before the King

Poetic Devices
He passed the King. He gave a shout,	Repetition
‘O King, it was the workmen’s fault’	Alliteration

An expression of anger appeared on the face of the King. The King said that it an insult to him that his crown had fallen down. He ordered that the chief builder should be hanged. Structure for hanging was made and a rope was tied to it. The chief builder was brought before the King. The chief builder said that it was not his fault. The workmen had not constructed it properly.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Halt	Stop
Proceedings	Activities

The King ordered to stop hanging of the chief of builder. He believed in justice. His face had become more calm now. He ordered that instead of the chief builder, all the workmen should be hanged. The workmen were surprised at this new order. The requested the King to listen to their plea. They said the mason had made bricks of wrong size..

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Summon	To call, To order to be present
Quivering	Shivering, Trembling

The King orders to call the masons. The masons came and stood in front of the King. They were trembling because of fear. They said that they did not make any mistake. It is the fault of architect.

 

 

Word	Meaning
His Majesty	Words used for the king or someone of high authority
Ordain	To order
Amendments	Changes
Plans	Designs

The King ordered that the architect should be hanged. The architect reminded one small thing to the King. He said that the King had made some changes in the design made by him.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Saw red	Became very angry suddenly
Lost his head	Become upset and lose one’s calm
Tricky	Complicated, Not easy to decide
Counsel	Advisor

Poetic Devices
The King heard this. The King saw red.	Repetition
In fact he nearly lost his head;	Alliteration
He said, ‘This is a tricky thing.	Alliteration
The wisest man in this country.’	Alliteration

After listening to the architect the King suddenly became very angry. Actually he became so upset that he almost lost his calm. But he was a justice loving and calm King so he quickly controlled himself. He said that this situation was very complicated. I need to consult a wise person. Please call the wisest person of this country.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Nay	Rather
Quavering	Shaking, trembling
Culprit	Defaulter, Wrong doer
Banged	Collided

Poetic Device
He could not walk and could not see,	Repetition
Truly, the arch it was that banged	Alliteration

The wisest man of the country was found and brought before the King in his Royal Court. Actually he was very week. He could neither walk nor see. So he had to be carried to the Royal Court. He was considered wisest person because he was the oldest person. He said in a trembling voice that the culprit must be hanged. Actually the ach had struck against the head of the King, so the arch should be hanged.

 

Word	Meaning
Scaffold	Platform for hanging someone
Councillor	Minister
Mused	Thought carefully
Restless	Impatient,
Mutter	To speak in a low voice

Poetic Device
When suddenly a Councillor said	Alliteration
What touched your head, Your Majesty?’	Repetition
Restless, was muttering aloud.	Oxymoron

A platform for hanging of the arch was made and the arch was brought upto that platform. Suddenly one of the ministers said that we should not hang the arch. It has touched the head of the King. Thus it has blessed the King. The King carefully thought about it. In the meantime the crowd had become impatient. Everyone was talking slowly. But collectively their voice had become loud.

 

Word	Meaning
Perceived	Understood
Assembled	Gathered
Consideration	Thought, Aspect
Finer points	Minor aspects

Poetic Device
The King perceived their mood and trembled	Alliteration
And said to all who were assembled	Alliteration
Of finer points like guilt. The nation	Oxymoron
Wants a hanging. Hanged must be	Alliteration

The King understood the mood of the crowd that it wanted the culprit to be hanged. The King became excited and equally eager. To all the people who had gathered there, he said that we should postpone the minor aspect of finding out the guilty. The country wants that somebody should be hanged. So we must immediately hang someone.

 

Word	Meaning
Noose	The rope for hanging someone
By and by	Within short period of time,
Decree	Order
Royal Decree	Order of the King

Poetic Device
The noose was set up somewhat high.	Alliteration
Each man was measured by and by.	Alliteration

A rope was put up on the platform. It was set up a bit high. Each person present there came to the noose to measure one’s height. But height of only one person was found to be equal to that of the noose. That person was the King himself. Therefore as per the order of the King of the country, he was hanged.

 

Word	Meaning
Unruly	Agitated, Angry
Against the Crown	Against the King

Poetic Device
‘Long live the King!’ the Ministers said.	Alliteration
Long live the King! The King is dead.	Irony

The ministers thanked themselves that they could find a person to hang. Otherwise the agitated people of the town would have revolted against the King. They said that may the King live for long time. They again said that may the King live for long time. And the King is dead.

 

Word	Meaning
Dilemma	Difficult situation, Problem
Pondered	Thought carefully
Sent out	Moved,
Heralds	Announcers, Messengers
Proclaim	Announce, Declare

Poetic Device
They pondered the dilemma; then,	Alliteration
They pondered the dilemma; then,	Assonance
The next to pass the City Gate	Repetition

The ministers thought about the difficult situation because of the death of King. They were very practical person. They quickly thought of a solution. They asked messengers to move around the country. By the orders of the former King, they were ordered to make an announcement in the public. The order was that the first person to enter the city will select the King of the city. This was the custom of their city. The order further declared that a new person will be made King in a big ceremony.

 

A man crossed the gate of the city to enter into the city. He was a fool. The guards stopped him. They asked him who should become the King of this city. The man replied ‘a melon’. He liked melons. So to every question this was his answer.

 

Word	Meaning
Reverently	With lot of respect

Poetic Device
Crowning a melon. Then they led	Assonance

The minister told the melon that it was their new King. They put the crown on it. The ministers with lot of respect carried the melon to the throne. They put it on the thrown.

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Word	Meaning
Years and years ago	Many years ago, Long time ago
On account of	Because
Rejoice	Be happy

Poetic Device
This happened years and years ago.	Repetition
How did this happen?’, they say, ‘Well, on	Alliteration
Account of customary choice.	Alliteration

This event or story had occurred a long time ago. Many outsiders ask people of the town why a melon is their King. How did a melon become your King. They reply that it is because of the custom of the town to choose a king. That customs was decided by our King.

 

Word	Meaning
Liberty	Freedom, Independence
Laissez faire	Not concerned, Accept whatever is happening

Poetic Device
With us, for who are we to say	Alliteration
What he should be as long as he	Repetition
Leaves us in Peace and Liberty?’	Alliteration

The people said they are OK if their King is a melon. We are not bothered who is our king if we are not troubled and our freedom is not disturbed. The principle of accepting whatever has happened was in the mind of the people.

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